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‘Stillwater’ Review – Newcomer Lilou Siauvaud Shines Bright

By Dom Fisher
July 29, 2021
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Synopsis:

Unemployed roughneck Bill Baker (Academy Award®-winner Matt Damon) travels from Oklahoma to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter Allison (Academy Award®-nominee Abigail Breslin). Imprisoned for a murder she claims she did not commit. Allison seizes on a new tip that could exonerate her and presses Bill to engage her legal team. But Bill, eager to prove his worth and regain his daughters trust, takes matters into his own hands. He is quickly stymied by language barriers, cultural differences, and a complicated legal system—until he meets French actress Virginie (Camille Cottin), mother to eight-year-old Maya (Lilou Siauvaud). Together, these unlikely allies embark on a journey of discovery, truth, love and liberation.

Let’s talk about privilege for a second. We are all privileged in some form or fashion. Sometimes it’s from birth and out of our control, and other times it’s as simple as being in the right place at the right time. However, whatever your privilege is, it shouldn’t excuse bad behavior or criminal activity. Unfortunately, our society allows certain privileges to oftentimes skate by with impunity no matter what they’ve done. All while shaming, shunning, canceling, and jailing others for the same missteps. It’s an issue that not only needs to be fully recognized but stopped. No more excuses, we’re supposed to be equal, so let’s be equal. We make life a lot harder than it has to be.

“Life is brutal.”

A father’s love and determination are put to the test in Tom McCarthy’s Stillwater. The crime drama while entertaining and well-acted doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. Is it a thrilling story of a father trying to right the wrongs of a foreign government, a story of redemption, a love story, or is it a story where a man attempts to make up for his past transgressions as a father by giving a fatherless little girl the childhood he failed to give his own daughter? While it can be all those things, the story feels a bit disjointed. It unfolds in a rather episodic way, failing to completely flow as one continuous story. Nevertheless, with the film being influenced by the infamous Amanda Knox case, there is plenty to latch onto. Each aspect of this film is rather compelling as you become fully invested in each character. But as I said before, it is edited in an unflattering way. Not to mention, after a conclusion that is supposed to be an introspective existential moment, you realize that some of these characters should actually be in prison.

This story isn’t meant to be in the realm of an action film where consequences don’t matter, this is intended to be reality-based. However, the only reality that is conveyed is a privileged one. This fish out of water story has a lot to unpack and much to discuss. While the film has its issues, it can still be enjoyed. I enjoyed how it was shot, the setting, the intimate moments, and the chemistry is great. I still feel that it is worth a watch if you’re a fan of Matt Damon. Its rewatchability is medium.

Abigail Breslin (left) stars as “Allison” and Matt Damon (right) stars as “Bill” in director Tom McCarthy’s STILLWATER, a Focus Features release. Credit Jessica Forde / Focus Features

Camille Cottin (left) stars as “Virginie” and Matt Damon (right) stars as “Bill” in director Tom McCarthy’s STILLWATER, a Focus Features release.
Credit Jessica Forde / Focus Features

Pacing & Pop

The pacing of this film is all over the place. While it’s able to keep your attention with each change, it feels as if it’s two different films stitched together. Perhaps that’s why it’s a tad too long. What popped for me was Matt Damon’s portrayal of the traditionally southern, Bill. Not only did he remind me of men that I see on a regular basis, but the mannerisms, accent, and way he carried himself were on point.

Matt Damon (left) stars as “Bill” and Lilou Siauvaud (right) stars as “Maya” in director Tom McCarthy’s STILLWATER, a Focus Features release. Credit Jessica Forde / Focus Features

Characters & Chemistry

I know I said that Matt Damon’s performance as Bill popped for me, but the true standout is the newcomer Lilou Siauvaud. She shines bright as Maya. She has amazing chemistry with Damon and steals every scene she’s in. Damon’s Bill also has great chemistry with Virginie ( Camille Cottin), that is until they begin to get romantic. The romance felt forced and out of place. However, Cottin has a great command of Virginie. Abigail Breslin as Allison is probably the least likable character. Breslin did a great job but the character is not a great person.

Stillwater releases in theaters on July 30, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.